My Top 10 "Go To" Picture Books


My mom does Rolling Readers and is always asking to borrow picture books. We will spend some time going through my library to find just the right ones. Doing this got me thinking about what books I would  have with me if I were a guest reader. There are so many wonderful books out there, but the books I picked for my top 10 "Go To" books were chosen for one of 4 reasons: 1. I just plain love it, 2. It is fun to read because of rhyming, repetition or the imagination of the story and illustrations, 3. It has a message that all kids, young and old can learn from, and 4. It  is a book that the kids may not have heard before, so it is new and exciting for them.

  1. Adventures On Klickitat Island by Hilary Horder Hippely
This story is told in verse, with beautiful illustrations and is about bravery and teamwork.

  1. The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen
A simple story about kindness and not expecting anything in return for that kindness.

  1. The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg
This is one of my all time favorites and I am not really sure why, maybe it is because it was one of the first books my kids got when they were really little. This book is filled with adventure, humor and fantasy, which captures the kids attention right from the beginning.

  1. Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
A wonderful story about honesty and how the guilt of one tiny lie can make you feel so miserable. The illustrations in this book are so bright and beautiful and expressive, you can just see how Ruthie is feeling throughout the story.

  1. Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg
This book is such a great story about compassion. It shows how instead of teasing somebody and making them feel embarrassed and bad you can help them to have a better day...and in the end everyone has fun!

  1. How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
A fantastically, fun read aloud because it is told in rhyme. You as the reader get in to the rhyme and rhythm while the students have fun watching the crazy wild adventure (imagination) that Wallace goes on.

  1. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
This is just a heartwarming book about life experiences and being a good person by wanting to make the world a better place. Who wouldn't benefit from a message like that?

  1. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Ahh, Ferdinand, the perfectly contented bull that loves to smell the flowers is mistaken for a fierce fighting bull. A story that has been around for years and is just as poignant today as it was when it was written. Looks and actions can be deceiving, especially when you don't know the circumstances in which the person acted. A fantastic book! 

  1. Mr. Fine Porcupine by Fanny Joly
Another fun book to read aloud due to the rhythm and rhyme. This is a great story about self acceptance and loving, or liking someone for who they are regardless of how they look.

  1. Tell Me What it's Like to be Big by Joyce Dunbar
This is just a sweet, sweet story about a little sister asking her big brother what it is like to be big. The gentle, caring relationship between the two is a wonderful example for kids that have siblings.




What are your "Go To" books?


Happy reading!

2 comments

  1. Ruthie, for sure, Have You Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, One by Kathryn Otoshi, Bird Child by Nan Forler, Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy, Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, Shhhhh! by Jeanne Willis, Rotten and Rascal by Paul Gerahty, Hey Little Ant by Philip and Hannah Hoose, Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller . . . . probably a few more but I'll stop there.

    Happy springtime! Break has officially begun here in TX!!

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah Spring Break!! I hope you enjoy every moment of it. What a great list! There are a few I am not familiar with, so I will be looking those up, because any book that you like has got to be great! Thanks for sharing your "Go To" books!
    Shawna

    ReplyDelete

Thoughts and comments are always welcome!